Police arrested Maria Johnson, 40, Tuesday in Hollywood on suspicion of identity theft. She is also wanted in Oregon and Washington for similar crimes. (Booking Photo) |
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (KTLA) -- Manhattan Beach detectives tracked down and arrested a woman they say is a prolific identity thief, wanted for crimes in at least three states.
Police were able to determine the true identity of a woman who called herself "Gia Hendricks," in an investigation into several reports that she has stolen the identities of others to buy things with their credit cards, according to a news release issued by the Manhattan Beach Police Department. The woman's real name is Maria Christina Johnson, 40, according to the news release.
"It's her charm," said Chris Hainka, Johnson's husband, who also claims to be among her victims. "She can get anything she wants."
Hainka met Johnson on the Internet a year ago. They were married in january after dating for eight months. Four months later, Hainka kicked Johnson out after she allegedly stole thousands of dollars from him and his friends.
"I could not believe it," he said.
Johnson, who is wanted in Oregon and Washington on suspicion of identity theft crimes, often posed as a wealthy person who ran a modeling agency to befriend unsuspecting people before using their identities to gain cash and property, officials said.
Johnson also served a two-year prison stint in Washington for charges similar to the ones she will face in California.
Johnson also allegedly claimed to be associated with the Hendrick Motorsports Racing Team by using her assumed name. Having no known permanent address or vehicle, she would use the people she met to find places to stay, police said.
Manhattan Beach police arrested Johnson Tuesday in Hollywood on suspicion of forgery and burglary. She is being held at the Manhattan Beach Police Department jail facility. Her bail was set at $80,000. She has been arrested in the past for identity theft, forgery, theft, bail jumping and fraud.
Johnson is due in court Thursday, where she will likely enter some kind of plea.
Anyone with more information on Johnson is urged to call Manhattan Beach police at 310-802-5127.
Police were able to determine the true identity of a woman who called herself "Gia Hendricks," in an investigation into several reports that she has stolen the identities of others to buy things with their credit cards, according to a news release issued by the Manhattan Beach Police Department. The woman's real name is Maria Christina Johnson, 40, according to the news release.
"It's her charm," said Chris Hainka, Johnson's husband, who also claims to be among her victims. "She can get anything she wants."
Hainka met Johnson on the Internet a year ago. They were married in january after dating for eight months. Four months later, Hainka kicked Johnson out after she allegedly stole thousands of dollars from him and his friends.
"I could not believe it," he said.
Johnson, who is wanted in Oregon and Washington on suspicion of identity theft crimes, often posed as a wealthy person who ran a modeling agency to befriend unsuspecting people before using their identities to gain cash and property, officials said.
Johnson also served a two-year prison stint in Washington for charges similar to the ones she will face in California.
Johnson also allegedly claimed to be associated with the Hendrick Motorsports Racing Team by using her assumed name. Having no known permanent address or vehicle, she would use the people she met to find places to stay, police said.
Manhattan Beach police arrested Johnson Tuesday in Hollywood on suspicion of forgery and burglary. She is being held at the Manhattan Beach Police Department jail facility. Her bail was set at $80,000. She has been arrested in the past for identity theft, forgery, theft, bail jumping and fraud.
Johnson is due in court Thursday, where she will likely enter some kind of plea.
Anyone with more information on Johnson is urged to call Manhattan Beach police at 310-802-5127.
